The group is clustered in the conference room of the Northampton Branch Library for storytime. During this weekly session, Miss Debbie, s she is known to the youngsters, is giving a free-form, yell-what-you-know reading of the "Three Little Pigs" to a group of 3- to 5-year-olds.

As much fun as it may seem, storytime, long a staple of Hampton's libraries, has proven to do more than just entertain children with tales of pigs and hungry canines, says Northampton librarian Virginia Cotter.

"It's the first step for literacy," she says. "They have found that children that are exposed to books can read faster."

"School will be easier for them because they will like to read," adds Gregory, a library assistant at the branch.

In addition to early exposure to literature, storytime gives many youngsters their first opportunity to socialize, says Gregory.

"She is learning how to get along with other children," attests Linda Tremper, of her daughter, 4-year-old Kristin, a storytime regular since she was 2. "She really looks forward to it."

Gregory, who has been a storyteller for 16 years, says the trick to being a good one is reading tales that you, the storyteller, like.

"You pick the things that you like because if you like it, then you put your enthusiasm into it," says Gregory, whose favorite stories include the classic "Three Bears" and "Corduroy" by Don Freeman

Making sure the pictures are large enough for everyone to see is also important, says Gregory.

Storytellers must remain in control of the hour, and learn to quell the often frequent interruptions from young audiences, demonstrates Gregory.

"My Mommy makes pizza for dinner!" proclaims one 3-year-old for no apparent reason in the middle of Gregory's telling of the pigs' housebuilding adventures.

"My Mommy makes pork chops!" chimes in another tot from the other side of the room.

"That's nice," responds Gregory, carefully steering the conversation back to the wolf's own pursuit of a pork chop dinner.

Storytime is offered during the school year in all city libraries except the Pine Chapel outreach. Most storytimes are open to children from 2 to 5 years old.